This original 1926 German-language weather forecasting guide, titled Der kleine Wetterprophet in Postkartengröße (“The Little Weather Prophet in Postcard Size”), is a remarkable example of early 20th-century scientific novelty—combining popular chemistry, civilian science, and folk forecasting in a compact, affordable form. This particular booklet was found among a group of original WW2 Wehrpässe (soldiers’ military ID and service books), and was likely carried in the field by a German soldier during the war. Its portability, simplicity, and utility would have made it an appealing keepsake or practical tool for a serviceman trying to anticipate shifts in weather in the absence of official forecasts.

Originally issued in Vienna in 1926 and certified by the Bundeslehr- und Versuchsanstalt für chemische Industrie, this leaflet accompanied a chemically treated weather card (now absent) designed to change color in response to atmospheric humidity. According to the included instructions and scientific endorsement (dated August 23, 1926, and signed by chemists Zettner and Kollmann), the card would turn blue in dry weather, violet during unstable conditions, and pink in humid air, predicting rainfall or fog. The chemical reaction was said to give users a general idea of the coming weather 18 to 22 hours in advance—an invaluable tool for farmers, outdoorsmen, or, in this case, a soldier.

The leaflet stresses that the card should be kept away from sunlight or excessive dampness and placed in a well-ventilated indoor area for best accuracy. The simplicity of its language and portability made it widely accessible, and such items were common in pharmacies and novelty shops throughout interwar Germany and Austria.

Its likely use during WW2 adds a deeply personal and utilitarian dimension to this piece. As soldiers on both fronts endured harsh winters, mud, and the unpredictability of field conditions, small objects like this—carried alongside religious medals, cigarette papers, and Wehrmacht-issued gear—were part of the soldier’s everyday world. Though not officially issued, the Wetterprophet offered an unofficial edge or comfort in anticipating the day ahead.

Measuring postcard size (approximately 5.75 x 4 inches), this example remains in excellent condition given its age and likely field use. Minor creasing and wear are present but all text remains sharp and fully legible. While the weather card is missing, this surviving instructional pamphlet is a rare and fascinating blend of interwar commercial science and wartime field history—an unusual but poignant relic of life under the unpredictable skies of Europe.

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